Morocco coaching job slips from Argentine gaffer Jorge Sampaoli as deal breaks down

The Moroccan Football Federation’s plans to appoint Argentine tactician Jorge Sampaoli as head coach of the Atlas Lions reportedly fell through.

Reports went rife that the Moroccan football authorities had reached a verbal agreement with Sampaoli to take over the Atlas Lions ahead of the World Cup following Walid Regragui’s departure.

But after all the details had been finalized with the experienced Argentine tactician, the deal ultimately fell through.

As result, the Moroccan FA has turned to Morocco U20 gaffer Mohammed Mohamed Ouahbi to lead the Atlas Lions ahead of the 2026 World Cup tournament to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Ouahbi is already well known within Moroccan football. Since March 2022, he has been heavily involved in the country’s youth development system and led the Morocco U-20 side to victory at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2025, defeating Argentina national under-20 football team in the final.

Before joining Morocco’s national setup, he spent 17 years working at the academy of Belgian giants RSC Anderlecht, where he helped develop young players who later progressed to top European leagues. He holds a UEFA Pro Licence, the highest coaching qualification in European football.

Known for his structured and disciplined approach, Ouahbi places strong emphasis on youth development and long-term planning. His work with Morocco’s U-20 side demonstrated that philosophy.

The team reached the final of the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in May 2025, narrowly losing 1-0. Rather than viewing the defeat as a setback, Ouahbi described it as a learning experience for the squad.

Just months later, that same group achieved a historic milestone by winning the U-20 World Cup, Morocco’s first title at that level and a landmark moment for Arab football.

His promotion reflects the federation’s broader strategy of building continuity through youth development. Morocco’s football resurgence has largely been driven by players raised in European systems, and Ouahbi’s background aligns perfectly with that model.